Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02942041 2016-09-15
LEVEL
[0001] This is a divisional application of Canadian Patent Application
Serial No.
2,720,295 filed on October 27, 2010.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to hand tools used to level a
surface, and
more particularly to hand tools used to level an electrical device. It should
be understood
that the expression "the invention" and the like used herein may refer to
subject matter
claimed in either the parent or the divisional applications.
SUMMARY
10003] The present invention provides, in one aspect, a level for
indicating the
orientation of each of a surface, a first electrical device, or a second
electrical device. The
level includes a first planar surface, a second planar surface, a web, and a
vial. The web
is coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such that
the first
planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second planar
surface. The vial
has a long axis and contains a liquid and a gas bubble. The vial is coupled to
the web
such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the first planar surface.
A first perimeter
is formed as part of the web. The first perimeter is shaped substantially the
same as a
portion of the first electrical device and sized to engage the portion of the
first electrical
device such that the vial is operable to indicate the orientation of the first
electrical
device.
[0004] The present invention provides, in another aspect, a level for
indicating the
orientation of a surface. The level includes a first planar surface, a second
planar surface, a
web, a vial, and a tube deburring portion. The web is coupled to the first
planar surface and the
second planar surface such that the first planar surface is spaced apart from
and is parallel to the
second planar surface. The vial has a long axis and contains a liquid and a
gas bubble. The vial
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is coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar surface.
The tube deburring portion is coupled to the web and includes a male conical
portion arranged to
deburr an inner edge of a tube and a female conical portion arranged to deburr
an outer edge of
the tube.
100051 The present invention provides, in another aspect, a level for
indicating the
orientation of a surface. The level includes a first planar surface, a second
planar surface, a web,
a vial, a slot, and a pair of grooves. The web is coupled to the first planar
surface and the second
planar surface such that the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is
parallel to the second
planar surface. The vial has a long axis and contains a liquid and a gas
bubble. The vial is
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar surface. The
slot extends through the first planar surface and the second planar surface.
The pair of grooves
includes a first groove through the first planar surface and a second groove
through the second
planar surface. The pair of grooves is spaced a first distance from the slot
to receive an end of a
tube having a diameter corresponding to the first distance such that the pair
of grooves is
operable to form a chamfer on the end of the tube.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a level for indicating orientation
of a surface, the level comprising:
a first planar surface having a first width;
a second planar surface;
a web having a second width that is narrower than the first width, the web
coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such that
the first planar
surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second planar surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar
surface; and
a tube deburring portion coupled to the web and including a male conical
portion arranged to deburr an inner edge of a tube and a female conical
portion arranged
to deburr an outer edge of the tube.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a second perimeter formed as part of
the web, the second perimeter shaped substantially the same as the portion of
the first
electrical device, the second perimeter spaced apart from the first perimeter,
and the
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second perimeter sized to engage the portion of the first electrical device
such that the
vial is operable to indicate the orientation of a pair of side-by-side first
electrical devices.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a third perimeter formed as part of
the web, the third perimeter shaped substantially the same as a portion of the
second
electrical device, and the third perimeter sized to engage the portion of the
second
electrical device such that the vial is operable to indicate the orientation
of the second
electrical device.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a fourth perimeter formed as part of
the web, the fourth perimeter shaped substantially the same as the portion of
the second
electrical device, the fourth perimeter spaced apart from the third perimeter,
and the
fourth perimeter sized to engage the portion of the second electrical device
such that the
vial is operable to indicate the orientation of a pair of side-by-side second
electrical
devices.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a tube deburring portion coupled to
the web and including a male conical portion arranged to deburr an inner edge
of a tube
and a female conical portion arranged to deburr an outer edge of the tube.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a slot extending through the first
planar surface and the second planar surface, and a pair of grooves including
a first
groove through the first planar surface and a second groove through the second
planar
surface, the pair of grooves spaced a first distance from the slot to receive
an end of a
tube having a diameter corresponding to the first distance such that the pair
of grooves is
operable to form a chamfer on the end of the tube.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a second pair of grooves including a
third groove through the first planar surface and a fourth groove through the
second
planar surface, the second pair of grooves spaced a second distance from the
slot to
receive an end of a tube having a diameter corresponding to the second
distance such that
the second pair of grooves is operable to form a chamfer on the end on the
tube.
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In one aspect, the invention provides a level for indicating the orientation
of
a surface, the level comprising:
a first planar surface;
a second planar surface;
a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such
that the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the
second planar
surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar
surface; and
a tube deburring portion coupled to the web and including a male conical
portion arranged to deburr an inner edge of a tube and a female conical
portion arranged
to deburr an outer edge of the tube.
In one embodiment, the tube deburring portion includes a cylindrical wall
that extends through the web to define a cylindrical aperture, the male
conical portion
and the female conical portion disposed substantially within the cylindrical
aperture.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a slot that extends through the first
planar surface and the second planar surface and a first pair of grooves
including a first
groove that extends through the first planar surface and a second groove that
extends
through the second planar surface, the first pair of grooves spaced a first
distance from
the slot, the first distance sized to receive an end of a first tube having a
first diameter in
the pair of grooves and the slot simultaneously, the pair of grooves operable
to chamfer
the end of the first tube.
In one embodiment, the first pair of grooves is one of a plurality of pairs of
grooves, and wherein each of the pair of grooves is sized to receive an end of
a tube
having a diameter different than the first diameter to chamfer the end of the
tube.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a first perimeter formed as part of
the web, the first perimeter shaped to engage a surface of a first electrical
device to
indicate the orientation of the first electrical device.
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In one embodiment, the level comprises a second perimeter formed as part of
the web, the second perimeter shaped to engage a surface of a second
electrical device
different than the first electrical device to indicate the orientation of the
second electrical
device.
In one aspect, the invention provides a level for indicating the orientation
of
a surface, the level comprising:
a first planar surface;
a second planar surface;
a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such
that the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the
second planar
surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar
surface;
a slot extending through the first planar surface and the second planar
surface; and
a pair of grooves including a first groove through the first planar surface
and
a second groove through the second planar surface, the pair of grooves spaced
a first
distance from the slot to receive an end of a tube having a diameter
corresponding to the
first distance such that the pair of grooves is operable to form a chamfer on
the end of the
tube.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a second pair of grooves including a
third groove through the first planar surface and a fourth groove through the
second
planar surface, the second pair of grooves spaced a second distance from the
slot to
receive an end of a tube having a diameter corresponding to the second
distance such that
the second pair of grooves is operable to form a chamfer on the end on the
tube.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a tube deburring portion coupled to
the web and including a male conical portion arranged to deburr an inner edge
of a tube
and a female conical portion arranged to deburr an outer edge of the tube.
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In one embodiment, the level comprises a tube deburring portion formed as
part of the web, the tube deburring portion operable to debur an inner edge of
a tube and
an outer edge of the tube.
In one embodiment, the tube deburring portion includes a cylindrical wall
that extends through the web to define a cylindrical aperture, a male conical
portion, and
a female conical portion, the male conical portion and the female conical
portion
disposed substantially within the cylindrical aperture.
In one embodiment, the level comprises a perimeter foimed as part of the
web, the perimeter shaped to engage a surface of an electrical device to
indicate the
orientation of the electrical device.
In one embodiment, the pair of grooves is one of a plurality of pairs of
grooves, and wherein each of the pair of grooves is sized to receive an end of
a tube
simultaneously with the slot, the tube having a second diameter different than
the
diameter to chamfer the end of the tube.
In one aspect, there is provided a level for indicating orientation of a
surface,
the level comprising:
a first planar surface having a first width;
a second planar surface;
a web having a second width that is narrower than the first width, the web
coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such that
the first planar
surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second planar surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar
surface; and
a tube deburring portion formed as part of the web and including a male
conical portion arranged to deburr an inner edge of a tube and a female
conical portion
arranged to &burr an outer edge of the tube.
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In one embodiment, the invention provides a level for indicating the
orientation
of each of a surface, a first electrical device, and a second electrical
device, the level
comprising:
a first planar surface;
a second planar surface;
a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such
that
the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second
planar surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar surface;
a first perimeter formed as part of the web, the first perimeter shaped
substantially the same as a portion of the first electrical device, and the
first perimeter sized to
engage the portion of the first electrical device such that the vial is
operable to indicate the
orientation of the first electrical device.
In one aspect, the level further comprises a second perimeter formed as part
of
the web, the second perimeter shaped substantially the same as the portion of
the first electrical
device, the second perimeter spaced apart from the first perimeter, and the
second perimeter
sized to engage the portion of the first electrical device such that the vial
is operable to indicate
the orientation of a pair of side-by-side first electrical devices. In one
aspect, the level further
comprises a third perimeter formed as part of the web, the third perimeter
shaped substantially
the same as a portion of the second electrical device, and the third perimeter
sized to engage the
portion of the second electrical device such that the vial is operable to
indicate the orientation
of the second electrical device. In one aspect, the level comprises a fourth
perimeter formed as
part of the web, the fourth perimeter shaped substantially the same as the
portion of the second
electrical device, the fourth perimeter spaced apart from the third perimeter,
and the fourth
perimeter sized to engage the portion of the second electrical device such
that the vial is
operable to indicate the orientation of a pair of side-by-side second
electrical devices. In one
aspect, the level comprises a tube deburring portion coupled to the web and
including a male
conical portion arranged to deburr an inner edge of a tube and a female
conical portion
arranged to deburr an outer edge of the tube. In one aspect, the level
comprises a slot extending
through the first planar surface and the second planar surface, and a pair of
grooves including a
first groove through the first planar surface and a second groove through the
second planar
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surface, the pair of grooves spaced a first distance from the slot to receive
an end of a tube
having a diameter corresponding to the first distance such that the pair of
grooves is operable to
form a chamfer on the end of the tube. In one aspect, the level comprises a
second pair of
grooves including a third groove through the first planar surface and a fourth
groove through
the second planar surface, the second pair of grooves spaced a second distance
from the slot to
receive an end of a tube having a diameter corresponding to the second
distance such that the
second pair of grooves is operable to form a chamfer on the end of the tube.
In one embodiment, there is provided a level for indicating the orientation of
a
surface, the level comprising:
a first planar surface;
a second planar surface;
a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such
that
the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second
planar surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar surface; and
a tube deburring portion coupled to the web and including a male conical
portion arranged to deburr an inner edge of a tube and a female conical
portion arranged to
deburr an outer edge of the tube.
In one aspect, the tube deburring portion includes a cylindrical wall that
extends through the web to define a cylindrical aperture, the male conical
portion and the
female conical portion disposed substantially within the cylindrical aperture.
In one aspect, the
level comprises a slot that extends through the first planar surface and the
second planar surface
and a first pair of grooves including a first groove that extends through the
first planar surface
and a second groove that extends through the second planar surface, the first
pair of grooves
spaced a first distance from the slot, the first distance sized to receive an
end of a first tube
having a first diameter in the pair of grooves and the slot simultaneously,
the pair of grooves
operable to chamfer the end of the first tube. In one aspect, the first pair
of grooves is one of a
plurality of pairs of grooves, and wherein each of the pair of grooves is
sized to receive an end
of a tube having a diameter different than the first diameter to chamfer the
end of the tube. In
one aspect, the level comprises a first perimeter formed as part of the web,
the first perimeter
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shaped to engage a surface of a first electrical device to indicate the
orientation of the first
electrical device. In one aspect, the level comprises a second perimeter
formed as part of the
web, the second perimeter shaped to engage a surface of a second electrical
device different
than the first electrical device to indicate the orientation of the second
electrical device.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a level for indicating the
orientation
of a surface, the level comprising:
a first planar surface;
a second planar surface;
a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such
that
the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second
planar surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar surface;
a slot extending through the first planar surface and the second planar
surface;
and
a pair of grooves including a first groove through the first planar surface
and a
second groove through the second planar surface, the pair of grooves spaced a
first distance
from the slot to receive an end of a tube having a diameter corresponding to
the first distance
such that the pair of grooves is operable to form a chamfer on the end of the
tube.
In one aspect, the level comprises a second pair of grooves including a third
groove through the first planar surface and a fourth groove through the second
planar surface,
the second pair of grooves spaced a second distance from the slot to receive
an end of a tube
having a diameter corresponding to the second distance such that the second
pair of grooves is
operable to form a chamfer on the end of the tube. In one aspect, the
invention comprises a tube
deburring portion coupled to the web and including a male conical portion
arranged to deburr
an inner edge of a tube and a female conical portion arranged to deburr an
outer edge of the
tube. In one aspect, the invention comprises a tube deburring portion formed
as part of the web,
the tube deburring portion operable to debur an inner edge of a tube and an
outer edge of the
tube. In one aspect, the invention comprises the tube deburring portion
includes a cylindrical
wall that extends through the web to define a cylindrical aperture, a male
conical portion, and a
female conical portion, the male conical portion and the female conical
portion disposed
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substantially within the cylindrical aperture. In one aspect, the invention
comprises a perimeter
formed as part of the web, the perimeter shaped to engage a surface of an
electrical device to
indicate the orientation of the electrical device. In one aspect, the pair of
grooves is one of a
plurality of pairs of grooves, and wherein each of the pair of grooves is
sized to receive an end
of a tube simultaneously with the slot, the tube having a second diameter
different than the
diameter to chamfer the end of the tube.
In one aspect, there is provided a level for indicating the orientation of a
surface, the level comprising:
a first planar surface;
a second planar surface;
a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such
that
the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second
planar surface;
a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble, the vial
coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the
first planar surface;
a slot extending through the first planar surface and the second planar
surface;
and
a pair of grooves including a first groove through the first planar surface
and a
second groove through the second planar surface, the pair of grooves spaced a
first distance
from the slot to receive an end of a tube having a diameter corresponding to
the first distance
such that the pair of grooves is operable to form a chamfer on the end of the
tube.
[0006] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent
by
consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a level according to a construction
of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the level of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the level shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of the level shown in FIG. 1.
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[00111 FIG. 5 is a rear view of the level shown in FIG. I.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative of the level shown in FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front view of an electrical outlet.
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[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view of a light switch.
[0015] FIG. 9 is perspective view of a level according to another
construction of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the level shown in FIG. 9.
[0017] Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail,
it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details
of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following
drawings. The invention is capable of other constructions and of being
practiced or of being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology
used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a level 100 for determining whether an object
is level to a
particular surface or adjusting an object to a level surface. The level 100
may be used to
measure and level at different angles, i.e., 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 45
degrees, and 90 degrees. It
should be readily apparent that the level may be used by a variety of users
and skilled technicians
to perform a variety of leveling functions.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the level 100 includes a web 105 coupled to
each of a top
planar surface 110, a bottom planar surface 115, a 45-degree planar surface
120, a 30-degree
planar surface 125, and a back planar surface 130. The top planar surface 110
is spaced apart
from and substantially parallel to the bottom planar surface 115. The 45-
degree planar surface
120 is disposed at an included angle of 135 degrees relative to the top planar
surface 110. The
30-degree planar surface 125 is disposed at an included angle of 150 degrees
relative to the
bottom planar surface 115. The back planar surface 130 is substantially
perpendicular to the top
planar surface 110 and the bottom planar surface 115. The back planar surface
130 is connected
to the top planar surface 110 by a first connecting surface 140 and is
connected to the bottom
planar surface 115 by a second connecting surface 145. The first connecting
surface 140 is
disposed at an included angle of 135 degrees relative to the top planar
surface 110. The second
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connecting surface 145 is disposed at an included angle of 135 degrees
relative to the bottom
planar surface 115. Additionally, any of the planar surfaces can include ruler
markings for
measuring distance.
[0020] The web 105 supports a 0-degree vial 150, a 90-degree vial 155, a 45-
degree vial 160,
and a 30-degree vial 165. The long axis of the 0-degree vial 150 is parallel
with the top planar
surface 110 and the bottom planar surface 115. The long axis of the 90-degree
vial 155 is
parallel with the back planar surface 130. The long axis of the 45-degree vial
160 is parallel with
the 45-degree planar surface 120. The long axis of the 30-degree vial 165 is
parallel with the 30-
degree planar surface 125. Each vial contains a liquid, a gas bubble 170, and
a series of
markings 175. The vials are secured to the web 105 by threaded set screws or
other means that
hold the vials in place. The threaded set screws inhibit the loosening of the
vials over time and
also allow for easy replacement of damaged vials. Preferably, the markings 175
are laser etched
on the vial and the liquid is colored (e.g., green). Laser-etched markings 175
resist wearing off
over time, while the colored liquid improves the visibility of the gas bubble
170 and the
markings 175.
[0021] As the angle of the level 100 (and therefore the angle of the vial)
changes relative to a
fixed axis, the gas bubble 170 moves within the vial along the long axis of
the vial. Each vial
can be used with at least one of the planar surfaces to determine the
orientation of a surface or
object to be leveled relative to level (i.e., the fixed axis). The position of
the gas bubble 170 with
respect to the markings 175 allows the user to determine the orientation of
the surface or object
to be leveled relative to that vial. For example, when the top planar surface
110 engages the
surface or object to be leveled, the surface or object to be leveled is level
when the gas bubble is
centered along the long axis of the 0-degree vial 150.
[0022] As best shown in FIG. 3, a first electrical outlet perimeter 180 is
formed in the web
105. The perimeter 180 is shaped like the perimeter 185 of a standard (120
volt AC) electrical
outlet 187, as shown in FIG. 7. The perimeter 180 includes a top portion 190,
a bottom portion
195, a first curved side portion 200, and a second curved side portion divided
into two segments
202 and 204. The perimeter 180 is sized to engage at least a portion of the
perimeter 185 of the
electrical outlet 187 when the electrical outlet 187 is inserted within the
perimeter 180. When
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the perimeters 180, 185 are engaged, either the 0-degree vial 150 or the 90-
degree vial 155 is
used to level the electrical outlet 187. Alternatively, the perimeter 180 is
configured to
accommodate the leveling of differently shaped electrical outlets, for
example, those configured
for use with different voltages or for use in other countries. The perimeter
180 allows the user to
level the electrical outlet 187 without attaching a face plate to the
electrical outlet 187.
[0023] A second electrical outlet perimeter 205, identical to the first
perimeter 180, is formed
in the web 105. The second perimeter 205 includes a top portion 210, a bottom
portion 215, a
first curved side portion 220, and a second curved side portion divided into
two segments 222
and 224. The second perimeter 205 is spaced from the first perimeter 180 so
that the two
perimeters 180, 205 are separated by the standard spacing between a pair of
side-by-side
electrical outlets. In this way, the two perimeters 180, 205 can be used to
level a pair of side-by-
side electrical outlets. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the level 100 only
includes one
electrical outlet perimeter 180. The perimeters 180 and 205 can be formed on
either side of the
web 105.
[0024] A first light switch aperture 225 is formed through the web 105. The
aperture 225 is
positioned within the perimeter 180. The aperture 225 forms a third perimeter
230 that includes
a top portion 235, a bottom portion 240, and two side portions 245. The
perimeter 230 is shaped
like the perimeter 250 of a housing 252 of a standard light switch 255, as
shown in FIG. 8. The
perimeter 230 is sized to engage at least a portion of the perimeter 250 when
the housing 252 and
the switch 255 are inserted into the aperture 225. When the perimeters 230,
250 are engaged,
either the 0-degree vial 150 or the 90-degree vial 155 is used to level the
housing 252 and the
switch 255. Alternatively, the perimeter 205 is sized to engage the perimeter
257 of the switch
255. In other alternatives, the aperture 225 and the perimeter 230 are
configured to
accommodate the leveling of different types of switches, for example, slidable
dimmer switches.
[0025] A second light switch aperture 260, identical to the first aperture
225, is formed
through the web 105. The aperture 260 is positioned within the perimeter 205.
The aperture 260
forms a fourth perimeter 265 that includes a top portion 270, a bottom portion
275, and two side
portions 280. The second aperture 260 is spaced from the first aperture 225 so
that the two
apertures 225, 260 are separated by the standard spacing between a pair of
side-by-side light
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switches. In this way, the perimeters 230, 265 of the apertures 225, 260 can
be used to level a
pair of side-by-side light switches. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the
level 100 only includes
one light switch aperture 225.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the back planar surface 130 supports a
circular or bull's-
eye vial 285. The bull's-eye vial 285 contains a liquid, a gas bubble 290, and
at least one
marking 295, similar to those already described. The bull's eye vial 285 is
used to level a
surface or object to be leveled in two directions, where the two directions
are perpendicular to
each other and the two directions are perpendicular to the planar surface
engaging the surface or
object to be leveled. As the angle of the level 100 (and therefore the angle
of the bull's-eye vial
285) changes, the gas bubble 290 moves within the vial towards or away from
the center point of
the bull's eye vial 285. The surface or object to be leveled is level with
respect to the two
directions when the gas bubble 290 is centered within the bull's-eye vial 285.
The bull's-eye
vial 285 is particularly useful for leveling a drain stack. The bull's-eye
vial 285 is secured to the
back planar surface 130 using arrangements similar to those already discussed
and preferably by
threaded set screws.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top planar surface 110 includes a
channel 300
extending along the length of the top planar surface 110. The channel 300 is
curved so the top
planar surface 110 can engage a tube, pipe, or other rounded surface for
leveling. Alternatively,
the channel 300 is notched or V-shaped for engaging a rounded surface for
leveling. In other
alternatives, the top planar surface 110 is flat. The bottom planar surface
115 includes a notch
305 extending into the web 105. The notch 305 is sized to provide clearance
for a seam or other
protrusion on the surface or object to be leveled. For example, a vent pipe
frequently has a seam
that makes it difficult to place the bottom planar surface 115 on the vent
pipe. The notch 305
allows the bottom planar surface 115 to be used to level the vent pipe by
providing clearance
between the bottom planar surface 115 and the seam. Alternatively, the bottom
planar surface
115 includes a channel 300 similar to the top planar surface 110. When both
the top planar
surface 110 and the bottom planar surface 115 include a depression, the two
depressions can be
sized such that each depression accommodates a rounded surface of a different
diameter.
6
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[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top planar surface 110 can include
magnets 310 that
allow the level to be magnetically attached to a surface or object to be
leveled. As shown, the
magnets 310 are exposed. Alternatively, the magnets 310 are embedded in the
top planar surface
110 (i.e., covered and hidden from view). Preferably, the magnets 310 are
neodymium magnets;
however, other rare earth or non-rare earth magnets can be also be used.
Alternatively, the
magnets 310 are supported by the web 105 or other surfaces of the level 100.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the top planar surface 110 includes three
apertures 315, 320, and
325 extending into the web 105. The apertures 315, 320, and 325 allow the user
to view the 0-
degree vial 150, the 90-degree vial 155, and the 45-degree vial 160,
respectively, through the top
planar surface 110. The 30-degree planar surface 125 includes an aperture 330
extending into
the web 105 that allows the user to view the 30-degree vial 165 through the 30-
degree planar
surface.
[0030] In the illustrated construction, the level 100 has a length of about
9.50 inches, a
thickness of about 0.75 inches, and a height of about 1.375 inches. The
features of the illustrated
construction may be adapted for use in constructions of the level where the
level has a greater or
a lesser length, width or height. The level 100 can be constructed from
aluminum, steel, plastic,
or other suitable material. In addition, other features not discussed could be
included on the level
100 or some features discussed could be omitted from the level 100.
[0031] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another construction of a level 400. The
level 400 includes
many of the same features and characteristics of the level 100 shown in FIGS.
1-5. Reference is
made to the description of the level 100 for additional characteristics and
variations of the level
400. The following description presents additional characteristics and
features of the level 400.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the level 400 includes a web 405 coupled
to each of a
top planar surface 410, a bottom planar surface 415, a first 45-degree planar
surface 420, a
second 45-degree planar surface 425, and a back planar surface 430. The top
planar surface 410
is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the bottom planar surface
415. The first 45-
degree planar surface 420 is disposed at an included angle of 135 degrees
relative to the top
planar surface 410 and the second 45-degree planar surface 425 is disposed at
an included angle
of 135 degrees relative to the bottom planar surface 415. The back planar
surface 430 is
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CA 02942041 2016-09-15
substantially perpendicular to the top planar surface 410 and the bottom
planar surface 415. The
back planar surface 430 is connected to the top planar surface 410 by the
first 45-degree planar
surface 420 and is connected to the bottom planar surface 415 by the second 45-
degree planar
surface 425.
[0033] The web 405 supports a 0-degree vial 435, a 90-degree vial 440, and
a 45-degree vial
445, in much the same way as was described with regard to the construction of
FIGS. 1-6. The
long axis of the 0-degree vial 435 is parallel with the top planar surface 410
and the bottom
planar surface 415. The long axis of the 90-degree vial 440 is parallel with
the back planar
surface 430. The long axis of the 45-degree vial 440 is parallel with the
second 45-degree planar
surface 425. Each vial contains a liquid, a gas bubble 450, and a series of
markings 455.
[0034] In some constructions, the 0-degree vial 435, and/or other vials, is
a slope gradient
vial 435. The slope gradient vial 435 includes a series of slope markings 455
that indicate one-
quarter inch, one-eighth inch, and one-sixteenth inch slopes relative to the
top planar surface 410
or the bottom planar surface 415. In other alternatives, an integrated shim is
included with the
slope gradient vial 435 to adjust the longitudinal axis of the vial 435 to the
appropriate slope
relative to the top planar surface 410 or the bottom planar surface 415.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 10, the top planar surface 410 includes an aperture
460 extending
into the web 405. As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom planar surface 415 includes
an aperture 465
extending into the web 405. The apertures 460 and 465 allow the user to view
the vial 435
through the top planar surface 410 and the bottom planar surface 415,
respectively. The bottom
planar surface 415 includes a channel 470 extending along the length of the
bottom planar
surface 415. The channel 470 is curved so the bottom planar surface 415 can
engage a tube,
pipe, or other rounded surface for leveling. Alternatively, the channel 470 is
notched or V-
shaped for engaging a rounded surface for leveling.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 10, the back planar surface 430 supports a circular
or bull's-eye
vial 475, similar to the one already discussed. The bull's-eye vial 475
contains a liquid, a gas
bubble 480, and at least one marking 485.
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[0037] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a deburring tool 495 is coupled to or
formed as part of
the web 405. The deburring tool 495 includes a cylindrical aperture with a
conical member
disposed near one end and extending towards the opposite end of the
cylindrical aperture. The
deburring tool 495 includes a male side 500 (FIG. 9) and a female side 505
(FIG. 10). An
aperture 510 extends into first side of the web 405 and provides access to the
male side 500 of
the deburring tool 495. The male side 500 includes at least one cutting
surface or blade 515 and
is arranged to deburr the inside of a tube (e.g., a pipe). To use the male
side 500 to deburr the
inside of a tube, the tube is inserted into the aperture 510 so that the end
of the tube contacts the
male side 500. The tube or level 400 is then twisted about the long axis of
the tube while in
contact with the male side 500 so that the blade 515 cuts away any burrs found
on the inside of
the tube. An aperture 520 extends into the second side of the web 405 and
provides access to the
female side 505 of the deburring tool 495. The female side 505 includes at
least one cutting
surface or blade 525 and is arranged to deburr the outside of a tube. To use
the female side 505
to deburr the outside of a tube, the tube is inserted into the aperture 520 so
that the end of the
tube contacts the female side 505. The tube or level 400 is then twisted about
the long axis of
the tube while in contact with the female side 505 so that the blade 525 cuts
away any burrs
found on the outside of the tube. The conical shape of the deburring tool 495
allows both sides
500 and 505 of the deburring tool to be used on tubes of differing diameters.
Preferably, the
deburring tool 495 is sized to accommodate pipe up to one-inch in diameter,
with larger or
smaller sizes being possible. The deburring tool 495 is suitable for use with
metal pipe or plastic
pipe.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 9, a chamfering tool 530 is formed by a slot 535
and at least one
pair of grooves 540 and 545. The slot 535 extends across the web 405 and
through the top planar
surface 410 and the bottom planar surface 415. The first pair of grooves
includes a first groove
540 through the top planar surface 410 and a second groove 545 through the
bottom planar
surface 415. The first groove 540 forms a first cutting face 550 and the
second groove 545 forms
a second cutting face 555. The pair of grooves 540 and 545 is spaced a set
distance apart from
the slot 535. The set distance corresponds to the diameter of a tube to be
chamfered. The slot
535 and the pair of grooves 540 and 545 cooperate to chamfer the end of the
tube. The end of
the tube is inserted into the slot 535 and the first pair of grooves 540 and
545. The tube or level
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400 is then twisted about the long axis of the tube so that the cutting faces
550 and 555 cut a
chamfer into the end of the tube. Additional pairs of grooves 560 and 565, 570
and 575, 580 and
585, 590 and 595, 600 and 605, similar to the first pair of grooves 540 and
545, are provided to
allow the user to chamfer tubes of different diameters. Preferably, tubes of
up to four inches in
diameter can be chamfered. A pair of grooves and the corresponding cutting
faces can be
configured to create an inside chamfer, an outside chamfer, or both on the end
of a tube.
[0039] A shovel 610 is formed in the web 405 by a depression 615 formed in
a first side of
the web 405 (FIG. 9) and three slots 620 formed in a second side of the web
405 (FIG. 10). The
shovel 610 can be used to dig or clear debris from a work area as required.
